Skin massaging instrument

ABSTRACT

A confined area of skin, not exceeding about 1 1/2 sq. inches, is treated by exposing it to an aqueous jet pulsating at between 2,200 and 3,200 cycles per minute and being incident on the skin at a velocity of between 9 feet/sec. and 18 feet/sec. The massage device includes a hollow handle containing a reservoir and housing a piston pump and a drive motor. A tubular cylindrical shield extends radially from the top of the handle and has an open distal end and supports an axial nozzle at its proximate end which communicates by a passageway in the handle member to the pump cylinder and an adjustable by-pass valve connecting the passageway to the reservoir. The pump cylinder communicates with the reservoir bottom through a check valve, and the rear of the shield communicates by a drain pipe with the top of the reservoir.

United States Patent [191 Kovach Jan. 21, 1975 SKIN MASSAGING INSTRUMENT [22] Filed: Sept. 24, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 400,213

[52] US. Cl. 128/66 [51] Int. Cl A6lh 9/00 [58] Field Of Search 128/66, 62 A, 366

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,101,804 6/1914 Lauter 128/66 1,995,424 3/1935 Guinness... 128/66 UX 2,701,563 2/1955 Fortin t 128/66 3,405,710 10/1968 Kovach 128/66 3,578,884 5/1971 Jacobson 128/66 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 558,180 9/1932 Germany 128/66 572,969 10/1945 Great Britain 128/66 Primary ExaminerLawrence W. Trapp Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William R. Liberman, Esq.

[57] ABSTRACT A confined area of skin, not exceeding about 1% sq. inches, is treated by exposing it to an aqueous jet pulsating at between 2,200 and 3,200 cycles per minute and being incident on the skin at a velocity of between 9 feet/sec. and 18 feet/sec. The massage device includes a hollow handle containing a reservoir and housing a piston pump and a drive motor. A tubular cylindrical shield extends radially from the top of the handle and has an open distal end and supports an axial nozzle at its proximate end which communicates by a passageway in the handle member to the pump cylinder and an adjustable by-pass valve connecting the passageway to the reservoir. The pump cylinder communicates with the reservoir bottom through a check valve, and the rear of the shield communicates by a drain pipe with the top of the reservoir.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented Jan. 21, 1975 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Jan. 21, 1975 3,861,383

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 SKIN MASSAGING INSTRUMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to improvements in methods and devices for the treatment of tissue and it relates particularly to an improved method and device for treating the skin to improve the condition and appearance thereof.

Many forms and types of procedures and devices have been employed to improve the appearance and physical condition of portions of the skin in such areas which are either wrinkled or prone to wrinkle. A conventional procedures involves the local massage or physical treatment of the skin area to be treated. How ever, the devices and processes employed in effecting such physical treatment possess numerous drawbacks and disadvantages. They are generally unreliable and usually ineffective, are difficult to apply, particularly in confined areas, and highly uncomfortable and inconvenient, are of little versatility and adaptability and otherwise leave much to be desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved method and device for treating tissue.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and device for treating skin to improve the condition and appearance thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and device for massaging the skin.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and device for the liquid massage of sharply delineated areas of the skin.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and device of the above nature characterized by high effectiveness and reliability, greater versatility and adaptability, and ease and convenience of application.

The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof.

It has been discovered that sharply delineated restricted areas of skin are effectively massaged or treated by confining the area to be treated under peripherally applied pressure and directing thereon a pulsating jet of liquid, preferably an aqueous liquid which may contain dissolved or dispersed additives such as emoluments or the like. The pulse frequency is advantageously between 2,000 and 3,200 pulses per minute; the velocity of the jet directed toward the skin is advantageously between 9 feet/sec. and 18 feet/sec., and the area subjected to the pulsating liquid jet is confined by a rim pressed against the border of skin being treated and delineating an area between 0.75 and 1.5 square inches.

The improved device for the practice of the above method basically comprises a liquid confining shield member having an opening at its distal end, a nozzle directed toward the distal opening in the shield member and means for producing a pulsating liquid flow through the nozzle.

In the preferred form of the device there is provided a hollow handle having a liquid reservoir therein and housing a piston pump connected to the reservoir by way of a check valve, an electric motor for driving the pump and a battery energizing the motor through a switch. The shield is a tubular cylinder with an open front end provided with a margining elastomeric ring, and is mounted atop the handle and projects radially therefrom. A nozzle is coaxially supported in the rear of the tubular cyliner, and is connected by a passageway formed in the handle to the pump cylinder, a pressure adjusting by-pass valve connecting the passageway to the reservoir. A drain pipe connects the rear portion of the tubular cylinder to the reservoir, and the reservoir is provided with a closure member affording access thereto. Advantageously, the distance between the nozzle orifice outlet and the plane of the shield distal opening is between 1.0 inch and 1.75 inch, and the diameter of the nozzle orifice preferably is between 0.055 inch and 0.065 inch.

The improved method and device are highly effective and reliable, simple and convenient to use and apply and are of great versatility and adaptability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of a liquid massage device embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along line 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view taken along 5 5 in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference numeral 10 generally designates the improved skin treatment device which includes a reservoir and houses a battery-energized motor driven pulsating pump and is of the nature of that described in compending application Ser. No. 254,458, filed May 18, 1972, in the name of Leslie J. Kavach. A nozzle and shield assembly 12 mounted atop handle member 11. Handle member 11 is formed of any suitable material and includes an open topped top reservoir section a coaxial tubular intermediate section delineated from top section 13 by the bottom wall 16 of top section 13 and engaging in inwardly offset skirt wall depending from bottom wall 16 and a coaxial tubular bottom section delineated from intermediate section 14 by a top wall 18 of bottom section 17. The open bottom section 17 is closed by a separable cover, so to permit access to the interior of bottom section 17.

A reservoir-defining well 20 is formed in upper section 13 and included a thickened side wall 21 having a vertical passageway or bore 22 terminating at its top in an enlarged coaxial coupling socket 23 having a downwardly tapered lower face. A transverse bore 24 extends inwardly from bore 22 directly below socket 23 and terminates in a coaxial bore section 26 of reduced diameter extending into well 20, a tapered peripheral shoulder defining a valve seat delineating the bores 24 and 26. A needle valve stem 27 having a tapered end registering with the valve seat rotatably registers with a bore coaxial with and opposite to bore 24 and terminates in an externally threaded enlarged head 28 engaging a tapped counter bore coaxial with bore 24 and extending to the outer face of wall 21. A finger piece 29 is formed on the outerface of head 28 and is rotatable slightly less than 360 as restricted by an outwardly projecting stop 30 located in the path of finger piece 29. An O-ring nests in a well at the base of the counter bore and engages valve stem 27 to effect a watertight seal. The angular adjustment of finger piece 29 effects the adjustment of valve stem 27 between a position closing communication between bore 22 and reservoir 20 and a maximum open position providing communication between bore 22 and reservoir 20 by way of narrow bore 26.

The top of the reservoir 20 is closed by a top wall 32 including a first side section 33 of greater than half the transverse cross section of the handle top section 13 and a second side section 34 connected by hinges 36 to the first section 33. The top wall section 34 defines a lid or door provided with a finger tab 37 permitting the swinging of the lid 34 being open and closed positions providing access to and sealing the reservoir cavity 20 respectively.

A circular cylindrical well 38 is formed in the side underface of wall 16 underlying wall 22 and is provided at its base with a coaxial conical check valve seat 39 which communicates with the bottom of reservoir 20 by elbow passageway 40 formed in walls 16 and 21. a reciprocating piston pump 41 includes a vertical cylinder section 42 having an enlarged upper cylindrical head 43 nesting and suitably secured in well 38 and hermetically sealed by an elastomeric O-ring 44 registering with a peripheral groove in head 43. The cylindrical section 42 has a vertical axial piston bore 46 enlarged at its upper section as at 47, which communicates by a vertical side port 48 with passageway 22.

An annulus 49 is firmly entrapped between a stepped peripheral shoulder about the upper edge of bore upper section and the base of well 38 and supports, by a depending spider 50, a tubular slide bearing member 51 coaxial with the bore 46. A frustoconical check valve member 52 mating the valve seat 39 is coaxial with the valve seat and includes a depending axial rod 53 slidably engaged by bearing member 51. A helical impression spring 54 encircles rod 53 and is entrapped between the confronting faces of bearing member 51 and valve member 52 resiliently to urge valve member 52 into closing engagement with valve seat 39. A piston 56 having an axial well 57 in its top face to form an upper skirt wall reciprocably engages the cylinder bore 46.

A piston rod coaxially depends from piston 56 and is limited to axial reciprocation and has mounted thereon a crosshead 58 provided with a transverse track. An eccentric rotatable follower 59 slidably engages the crosshead track and is fixed to the output shaft of a transmission 60 mounted in the wall 18. The input to transmission 60 is connected to the drive shaft of an electric motor 61 housed in the handle section 17 and mounted in wall 18. Also housed in the handle section 17 is a rechargeable battery which is connected to the motor 61 by way of a normally open externally finger operable switch, not shown. The battery is also connected to a two prong electrical coupling 63 located on the wall of section 17 to permit the coupling of the battery to a suitable charger. The structure assembly and relationship of the pump, drive transmission, motor and battery are similar to those of the device described in the above identified patent application.

The nozzle and shield assembly 12 is replaceably mounted in and coupled to the handle section 11 and comprises an elbow member including a diametrically extending horizontal leg 64 located shortly above handle top wall 32 and a depending skirt leg 65 having a serrated underface engaging a mating horizontal top face of a raised annular platform 66 on wall 21. A nipple 67 coaxially depends from elbow leg 65 and includes a frustoconical tip matingly engaging the base of socket 23. An elastomeric 0-ring 68 effecting a liquid tight seal between nipple 67 and socket 63 engages a peripheral groove in nipple 67 above tip 68 and is secured in position by a plastic lock ring 69.

An axial bore 70 extends from tip 68 through leg 65 into communication with an axial bore 71 extending to the front end of leg 64. The leg 64 terminates in a front section 74 of reduced diameter delineated from the rear section by a peripheral shoulder 76 and externally threaded at its distal end. A tubular shield member 77 is mounted in and projects coaxial from the leg 64 beyond the handle section 13, resting in top wall 32. The rear of shield 77 includes an inwardly rearwardly directed curved peripheral flange 78 terminating in a beaded section 79 which encircles leg section 74 and is tightly embraced between the shoulder 76 and an elastomeric washer 80.

A cap shaped nozzle member 81 includes a front wall 82 and an internally threaded skirt wall 83 engaging the threaded portion of leg section 74 and bearing on the front face of and compressing the washer 80. A cylindrical orifice 84 is formed in the nozzle wall 82 coaxial with shield 77 and nozzle 81 and communicates through a coaxial well 86 having a conical base tapering to orifice 84 and formed in the rear face of nozzle wall 82. An elastomeric 0-ring 87 nesting in a rear counterbore of well 86 in engaged by a forward projection of leg section 74 to effect a liquid tight seal.

A depending drain pipe 88 is integrally formed at the rear portion of shield 77 and project through a mating opening in wall 32 into the upper part of reservoir 20. A soft elastomeric ring 89 encircles the front border of tubular shield 77 and projects forwardly of and overlies the front edge of shield 77 and is secured thereto by integrally formed peripherally spaced nipples projecting inwardly from ring 89 into engagement with correspondingly openings formed in shield 77.

As a specific example of the preferred important dimensions and parameters of the device 10, the orifice 84 has a diameter of 0.055 inch and is spaced between 1 inch and 1.75 inch from the front face of ring 89 which encloses an area between 0.75 and 1.50 square inches. The pumps 41 and the drive motor, battery and transmission, the valve 26, 27 and the various passageways are dimensioned and interrelatedtor related) to produce a pulse frequency of between 2,200 and 3,200 per minute and a liquid velocity through orifice 84 of between 13 feet/sec. and 18 feet/sec. as adjustable by means of finger piece 29.

Considering now the operation and application of the device 10 in practicing the improved method, the reservoir 20 is filled with water or an aqueous solution containing any desired solutes or dispersants through the open lid 34, which is then closed. The finger piece 29 is then adjusted to vary the opening of the by-pass valve from passageway 22 into reservoir 20 and thereby adjust the jet velocity and pulse frequency. The rubber ring carrying end opening of shield 77 is pressed against the skin, for example, the facial skin, to surround the area to be treated and effect a liquid tight seal between the shield and the skin and the motor energizing swith is then closed. The piston 56 is reciprocated by the energized motor by way of transmission 60 to draw liquid during its downward suction stoke from reservoir 20 by way of the suction-opened check valve 52 and to urge the liquid through the upward pressure stoke of piston 56 through the orifice 84 as a sharp jet. The pulsating liquid jet impinges on the skin delineated by the ring 89 and flows back through shield 87 and drain pipe 88 into reservoir 20 where it may be recirculated. It has been found that a highly effective treatment is achieved by exposing the confined area of the skin to the pulsating jet of the above frequency and at a velocity just below an uncomfortable pain level for a period of 20 to 40 seconds duration.

While there have been described and illustrated preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is apparent that numerous alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. A massage device comprising a liquid confining shield member having an opening at its distal end and a drain opening, a nozzle directed through said shield member toward said distal opening, a liquid reservoir, and means for producing a pulsating liquid flow from said nozzle and including a positive displacement intermittent pump having an outlet communicating with said nozzle and an inlet communicating with the lower part of said reservoir, said drain opening communicating with said reservoir.

2. The massage device of claim 1 wherein the pulse frequency of said liquid pulsating means is between 2,200 and 3,200 cycles per minute.

3. The massage device of claim 1 comprising a hollow handle member having said liquid reservoir therein, the shield member being mounted proximate the top of said handle member and having a drain opening therein, rearwardly of said distal opening, and an electric motor housed in said handle member and drive coupled to said pump.

4. The massage device of claim 3 wherein said pump is a reciprocating piston pump having a cylinder connected to said reservoir by way of a check valve.

5. The massage device of claim 4 including a tubular passageway in said handle connecting said cylinder to said nozzle and an adjustable by-pass valve between said passageway and reservoir.

6. The massage device of claim 3 wherein said shield member is of cylindrical tubular configuration and is mounted atop and projects radially from said handle member, said nozzle being coaxially disposed at the proximate end of said shield member.

7. The massage device of claim 6 including an elastomeric annular member engaging the front peripheral edge of said shield member.

8. The method of treating skin comprising confining a predetermined area of said skin by applying pressure to a peripheral border thereof, directing a liquid jet pulsating at between 2,200 and 3,200 cycles per minute at said confined area of skin, recovering the liquid incident on said skin and redirecting said recovered liquid as said pulsating liquid jets onto said skin.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the velocity of said liquid jet incident on said skin is between 9 feet/sec.

and 18 feet/sec. 

1. A massage device comprising a liquid confining shield member having an opening at its distal end and a drain opening, a nozzle directed through said shield member toward said distal opening, a liquid reservoir, and means for producing a pulsating liquid flow from said nozzle and including a positive displacement intermittent pump having an outlet communicating with said nozzle and an inlet communicating with the lower part of said reservoir, said drain opening communicating with said reservoir.
 2. The massage device of claim 1 wherein the pulse frequency of said liquid pulsating means is between 2,200 and 3,200 cycles per minute.
 3. The massage device of claim 1 comprising a hollow handle member having siad liquid reservoir therein, the shield member being mounted proximate the top of said handle member and having a drain opening therein, rearwardly of said distal opening, and an electric motor housed in said handle member and drive coupled to said pump.
 4. The massage device of claim 3 wherein said pump is a reciprocating piston pump having a cylinder connected to said reservoir by way of a check valve.
 5. The massage device of claim 4 including a tubular passageway in said handle connecting said cylinder to said nozzle and an adjustable by-pass valve between said passageway and reservoir.
 6. The massage device of claim 3 wherein said shield member is of cylindrical tubular configuration and is mounted atop and projects radially from said handle member, said nozzle being coaxially disposed at the proximate end of said shield member.
 7. The massage device of claim 6 including an elastomeric annular member engaging the front peripheral edge of said shield member.
 8. The method of treating skin comprising confining a predetermined area of said skin by applying pressure to a peripheral border thereof, directing a liquid jet pulsating at between 2,200 and 3,200 cycles per minute at said confined area of skin, recovering the liquid incident on said skin and redirecting said recovered liquid as said pulsating liquid jets onto said skin.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the velocity of said liquid jet incident on said skin is between 9 feet/sec. and 18 feet/sec. 